Platinum : Auld Lang Syne   

Folks, barbershop singing doesn't get any better than this. At least it didn't in the SPEBSQSA International Finals of 2000 when Tony De Rosa, Joe Connelly, Kevin Miles, and Gary Lewis were awarded the first place Gold Medals! For those of us who were unable to attend the performance their recording is here! You'll be treated to a program of pure barbershop, "It's Only A Paper Moon," "Dayton OH," "Just In Time," right on up to a stunning finale of their award winning "Auld Lang Syne." Just ask yourself, "What's more precious than gold?" Obviously, the answer can only be...Platinum!

Songlist: It's Only A Paper Moon, Smilin' Through, Dayton Ohio, Just In Time, You Don't Know Me, You're A Education In Yourself, I Can See It, Hushabye Mountain, Down Where The South Begins, Careless, Annie's Song, Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Auld Lang Syne

Platinum : Be Our Guest   

Coming in second at Anaheim, '99 - Platinum's first year in competition - they generated excitement before the first note was sung, by virtue of their pedigree. The lead, Joe Connelly, and the baritone, Tony DeRosa, were both in the mighty Keepsake, 1992's Championship Quartet. Well, that said, we expected state-of-the-art arrangements, coupled with sizzling performances, and "Be Our Guest" meets the challenge. Most of the material is outside the formal barbershop idiom, with great songs, such as "The Way You Look Tonight," "I'm Beginning To See The Light" and "What'll I Do" representative selections. The tags, of course, are stunning, with special mention going to "Who Will Buy" and the title track - what lung power. If it's subtleties you prefer, "Memories Of You," written by Eubie Blake, has harmonies layered so closely that the voices move as one - complete symmetry. The note placement and phrasing of the "Jimmy Webb Medley," arranged by Jim Clancy, allows the tonality of each voice within the harmony to blossom fully into a resplendent bouquet.

Songlist: Be Our Guest, I'm Beginning to See the Light, What'll I Do?, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, The Way You Look Tonight, Slap That Bass, Bring Him Home, Who Will Buy?, There, I've Said It Again, That Old Feeling, As Long As You're Not In Love With Anyone Else, Why Dont' You Fall In Love With Me, Undecided Medley, Memories of You, Bye Bye Blues, Jimmy Webb Medley - Didn't We / McArthur Park